In 1983, a band known for their intelligent lyrics and funky melodies took to the stage in Los Angeles, performing in front of a lively crowd and multiple cameras. This performance would later be captured in a film called “Stop Making Sense,” directed by the talented Jonathan Demme. The film documented Talking Heads’ final tour and was praised by the late Roger Ebert as a representation of “life being lived at a joyous high.” Now, four decades after its original release, this iconic concert film has been restored and remastered in 4K, bringing it back to the big screen for audiences to enjoy once again. Jon Pareles of The New York Times describes it as “nutty jubilation,” while David Byrne reflects on the experience, saying, “When I first saw this, a screening recently (it had been probably a couple of decades), and I saw myself, and I thought, ‘Oh, who is that guy?'” From “Stop Making Sense.” A24.
Chris Frantz, one of the members of Talking Heads, expresses his excitement about the restoration of the film, stating “Weren’t we pretty? I mean, let’s face it, man. This movie is hot!” To catch a glimpse of the restored “Stop Making Sense,” check out the official trailer provided by A24 on YouTube. For Chris Frantz, David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, the re-release of this film allows them to reconnect after many years apart and revisit a moment of shared success. When asked about the story of “Stop Making Sense,” Tina Weymouth offers her perspective, describing it as a story of love. She explains, “It starts with one person, an individual alone in this world, and then a community builds around it.” Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, and David Byrne of Talking Heads. CBS News.
The film follows the arc of the band’s journey, mirroring their rise and fall. It begins with David Byrne taking the stage and performing “Psycho Killer,” followed by his friends Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz joining him to perform “Heaven” and “Thank You for Sending Me an Angel.” Jerry Harrison then enters the scene for “Found a Job.” The film continues with iconic Talking Heads songs such as “Burning Down the House,” “Life During Wartime,” and “Once In a Lifetime.” Byrne, Frantz, and Weymouth initially met as students at the Rhode Island School for Design, where Byrne and Frantz had already formed a cover band called The Artistics. They later moved to New York and decided to perform under the name Talking Heads, eventually adding Jerry Harrison to the lineup. Talking Heads (Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, and Jerry Harrison) pose in Amsterdam in June 1977. Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns via Getty Images.
Over the years, Talking Heads built their audience through appearances on MTV and honing their unique sound. Their music captured the essence of introspection and self-reflection, as expressed in their famous song “Once In a Lifetime.” Frantz reflects on their performances during the “Stop Making Sense” era, stating, “By the time we got to ‘Stop Making Sense’ with the expanded lineup, we were really tearing the roof off.” Byrne adds, “The music that we were doing had great groove, and it just made me wanna dance.” The quirky stage movements and choreography that became synonymous with David Byrne’s performances were born out of improvisation in his loft. Byrne explains, “The music usually inspires it, but it was improvised. like, in my loft,” he said. “I’d have a little video camera or whatever and put on the music and see what I came up with. And then I’d go, ‘That one. That really works. Let me try that. And let me try it in this song.'” David Byrne improvised and recorded movements in his loft before taking them to the stage. David Byrne/A24.
When asked about the secret to the band’s success, Jerry Harrison highlights the fact that they were a tight-knit unit, stating, “We were a locked band.” However, this era would mark the end of Talking Heads. Frantz describes the band’s disbandment as a mystery, as they had always taken breaks for side projects. But after the film’s release, the band went on a break that never seemed to end. In 1991, Byrne mentioned in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that they had broken up. This news came as a surprise to Frantz and Weymouth, who found out when a fact checker from a newspaper reached out for a comment. This revelation strained their relationship, and at one point, Weymouth referred to Byrne as a “vampire.” However, they did come together one last time for a performance at the 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Talking Heads thanked the Hall of Fame for giving them a “happy ending.” Talking Heads perform “Life During Wartime” at the 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on YouTube.
Since then, the band has not made any public appearances together until the recent premiere of the restored concert film. When asked if they would have done anything differently, David Byrne reflects on the dynamics within the band, stating, “I think I could have been probably a more easygoing collaborator.” Despite the challenges they faced, Tina Weymouth emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, stating, “They don’t just, you know, bite each other. They take chunks out! But the beauty of it is, well, maybe you don’t forget, but you forgive.” Chris Frantz adds, “We’re celebrating ‘Stop Making Sense,’ but also the music that we made together, which is always gonna be greater than any of us individually. It is something for us to be proud of. And I think we all agree on that.” For more information, click here.
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